Between Minneapolis And Green Bay Is An Idyllic Nature Escape With Scenic Wetlands, Wildlife, And Trails

On the 4-to-5-hour drive between Minneapolis and Green Bay, you might make pit stops in Eau Claire and Wausau, two of the largest cities along the way. But take the detour off Wisconsin Highway 29, and you'll end up at George W. Mead Wildlife Area, one of Wisconsin's largest nature preserves. The sprawling 33,000-acre wildlife sanctuary is located in the Little Eau Pleine River valley, and it's the ideal place to slow down and soak up Wisconsin's peaceful side. At the nature escape, visitors can spot trumpeter swans gracefully swimming in grassy ponds, herons stalking the shallow wetlands, and deer grazing near the tree line. While trekking the miles of trails, hikers might hear bird songs coming from the hardwoods and aspen groves.

Stretching across Marathon, Wood and Portage counties, George W. Mead Wildlife Area sits in the countryside near Milladore, Wisconsin. Ever since George Mead's son, businessman and conservationist Stanton W. Mead, donated the first 20,000 acres in 1959, the refuge has grown into a haven for hiking, hunting, trapping, observing wildlife, and cross-country skiing. At its core is the 6,208-acre Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center. Here, you can stop to learn about wildlife conservation before heading into the sanctuary, with a recent visitor saying, "The Visitor Center was very nice and full of information. A great place to bring kids. Many opportunities to do special learning events."

Although the wildlife area is open daily, the visitor center operates between Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the entire sanctuary is free to use, including the educational programs and events, it's a budget-friendly alternative to nearby Rib Mountain State Park, Wisconsin's once-thriving quarry that boasts mountain trails and rock art formations. Plus, the entire family can spend time here, including the dogs (leashed, of course).

Often called Mead Wildlife Area or "The Mead" by locals, this nature escape has enough to keep you busy for days. With roughly 70 miles of easy trails and a 1.5-mile boardwalk, visitors will have lots of opportunities to take in views of the wetlands, prairies, and forest. Plus, you can fish and paddle in the nearby waterways. Just keep in mind that portions of the refuge are off-limits from September 1 to November 30 to protect migrating birds. However, you can still access the overlooks from the boardwalk trail.

If you only have several hours to spare, start by hiking the Mead State Wildlife Area Loop. Although AllTrails clocks this 7-mile loop at about 2.5 hours, you'll want to take time to enjoy the scenery. One hiker commented: "I would say this is a 3.5-4 hour trail if you stop to look at animals." The same hiker also recommends bringing bug spray to keep the deer flies away. On the trail, you'll hike by three lakes with views of tons of birds in the wetlands. Keep your eyes open for pelicans, sandhill cranes, and Canadian geese, and you will likely hear songbirds singing in the distance. It's no surprise that the wildlife area has been named a hotspot by eBird. You might spot snakes, turtles, and even a beaver if you get lucky.

The boardwalk trail has multiple overlooks and educational signs, which are great for the little ones to learn about some of the 267 species of birds recorded at the preserve. Add the half-mile Audubon Trail to glimpse more wildlife and birds flying over the grasslands. When you're ready for a change of scenery, drive to nearby Wausau, a riverfront Midwest city full of eclectic festivals, shops, and undiscovered charm. It's another easy stop to break up your trip between Minneapolis and Green Bay.